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Unemployment Insurance Fraud

Less than $1 billion has been recaptured of the total taxpayer dollars lost in improper UI payments over the course of the pandemic, according to testimony from the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Inspector General Larry Turner, who also raised the “low-end” estimate of the total losses from $87 billion to $163 billion. Outside experts say the number could be as high as $400 billion.

While Republican Committee Members have sounded the alarm on COVID-related fraud for more than a year, the Biden Administration has no idea how many tax dollars have been lost to fraud or improperly paid.

Chairman Smith Applauds Bipartisan Passage of the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act

May 11, 2023 — Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) released the following statement applauding bipartisan passage of H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act – legislation to recover fraudulent unemployment payments, improve program integrity to prevent future fraud, and give states the tools needed to prosecute the ...

Chairman Smith on the House Floor: H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act

May 11, 2023 — Floor Statements

As prepared for delivery. "This crucial legislation will finally protect taxpayers and victims of fraud against the largest theft of tax dollars in American history. "Americans are suffering under a cost-of-living crisis, fueled by Democrats’ reckless spending. It has brought us to the brink of recession and spurred the highest increase in interest rates in 16 years. It must be ...

What They Are Saying: Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act

May 11, 2023 — Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 60 stakeholders from across the country including small business groups, state and local industry associations, government waste watchdogs, state Attorneys General, and other national organizations are coming out in support of the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act (H.R. 1163). The bill ...

Ways and Means Chair Smith, Education and the Workforce Chair Foxx, Speaker McCarthy, and Republican Members of the California Delegation Call on President Biden to Abandon Nomination of Julie Su as Labor Secretary

April 06, 2023 — Blog

WASHINGTON, DC – American workers and businesses will face more regulation, mismanagement, and waste from Washington should the Senate confirm Julie Su as Labor Secretary, warned House Republicans today. In a letter to President Biden, Ways and Means ...

Ways and Means Approves Plan to Recover Hundreds of Billions in Misspent, Stolen Unemployment Benefits

March 01, 2023 — Blog

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the House Ways and Means Committee approved legislation to jumpstart recovery efforts on hundreds of billions of dollars of COVID unemployment insurance payments stolen by fraud. The Department of Labor Inspector General estimated that improper payments in pandemic unemployment programs have left taxpayers on the hook for at least $191 billion. ...

Chairman Smith Opening Statement: Markup of H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act

February 28, 2023 — Blog

As prepared for delivery "At the height of the COVID pandemic, government lockdowns shuttered Main Street businesses and kept American workers at home. Congress provided targeted and temporary support for workers and businesses – including through unemployment insurance. Unfortunately, that work was undermined, and many of those families fell victim to predatory fraudsters in ...

Smith, Comer, Ways and Means Republicans Introduce Legislation to Recover Hundreds of Billions in Stolen Unemployment Benefits

February 24, 2023 — Blog

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) and House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (KY-01) were joined by Ways and Means Committee Republicans to introduce legislation to recover potentially hundreds of billions of dollars in stolen unemployment benefits. Up to $400 billion, ...